I just purchased a home, and have rented for three years, on Iron Horse Lane. I was asking a friend who had lived on the same street for many years the same question you have posed here. He said that the city has always treated it as the responsibility of the homeowners on the alleyways. But, I think it is time that the city realize that it is in their best interest to pave. I have commented before that, in a one year time period on my block, two cars were hit (including my own), my gate was hit, the library was hit, and another building was hit. People tend to drive too fast because they like the gravel or are trying to avoid main streets. They often hit rather large dips and probably lose control. I have named one seasonal puddle "Lake Iron Horse." The condition gets worse each year. Just adding gravel has caused the roads to be too high, allowing water run-off to flow into properties.